Animal Welfare Professionals

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anyone had any tips, tricks, or links I could use in order to become an ACO? I currently work in Baltimore and I really want to kick start my career in animal justice. Any information would be extremely helpful! 

#EducationandTraining

Hello Anonymous,

Although I have no "links"  I will share with you my observations as a volunteer for a number of years at our municipal shelter. 

It seems like many of the ACOs  started as kennel staff--albeit "ground level" work. The benefit of this would be developing great skills handling animals, working as a team and seeing how the shelter operates. I cannot believe with the demonstration of hard work, dedication and skill you would not be snatched up in time!! Also remember that these days most ACOs will also need to have great people skills and you should expect to serve as an ambassador between your community and the shelter.

Susan Murphy

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Susan Murphy
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I agree. Check with the agency that you would like to apply to. Beginning in the kennel is definitely a plus; and I would definitely say to request to cross-train. There is much to know about the sheltering world and knowing how it intersects with being an ACO is invaluable. Volunteering can also be a way to explore. NACA, LETI, and CODE3 offer training/certifications that may be taken as well that are beneficial and may be required within a certain amount of time of becoming an ACO. Request to do a ride-along for the day if possible. 

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Michelle George
Director of Community Animal CARE
Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity
GA
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2024 05:06 AM
From: Susan Murphy
Subject: How to Begin a Career

Hello Anonymous,

Although I have no "links"  I will share with you my observations as a volunteer for a number of years at our municipal shelter. 

It seems like many of the ACOs  started as kennel staff--albeit "ground level" work. The benefit of this would be developing great skills handling animals, working as a team and seeing how the shelter operates. I cannot believe with the demonstration of hard work, dedication and skill you would not be snatched up in time!! Also remember that these days most ACOs will also need to have great people skills and you should expect to serve as an ambassador between your community and the shelter.

Susan Murphy

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Susan Murphy
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Hi Anon, I have a few thoughts based on my experience in two rather different shelters.

1. Depending on the jurisdiction, the stated requirements to be an ACO vary -- but never be afraid to apply even if you don't exactly meet the requirements. The hiring managers may or may not be strict about them.
2. The skills and experience agencies are generally looking for include: animal handling, animal knowledge (i.e. can you counsel the public on behavior issues, wildlife issues, etc), interpersonal skills, and professionalism. Can you counsel people? Can you have tough conversations? Are you a team player? In addition, they want to see that your attitude is a fit with the agency's values and policies.  I would emphasize animal handling first and people skills second as the big ones that you really need to show experience in. Knowledge can be taught on the job.
3. In my first agency, for some reason all the ACOs seemed to have been security guards previously. They also had pet experience in various capacities... usually.
4. In my current agency, a lot of the ACOs started out in animal care or customer service (our customer service also gets animal handling experience). Echoing Susan, this is a great way to (a) start building those critical skills and experience and (b) get your foot in the door with the company. Some others had been in animal care professions or transferred from out of state animal control agencies.
5. For specific job ideas, I would look at your skills/experience gaps and focus there.  You could try dog walking or volunteering with a shelter, rescue, or wildlife rehabber if you have the capacity. Otherwise look for job openings with shelters, nature centers, vet clinics, etc.
6. Reach out to some of the agencies you'd like to work for and ask them! Maybe their ACO hiring manager can look at your resume and tell you what you're missing.
7. If you're close to fluent in Spanish, brush up. That would be a huge asset in the Baltimore/DC area!

Depending on how far you want to drive, there are a lot of options around Baltimore, so good luck! Besides individual job boards, you can also try nacanet.org for ACO jobs.

Peace,

James

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James Pawlowicz
Humane Rescue Alliance
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@Jerrica Owen CAWA Do you have any resources you can recommend? 

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Kim Domerofski (she/her)
Community Manager
Maddie's Fund
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Hi Anonymous!

There is already some really good advice on this thread.

What I can share is a link to free career profiles connected to animal-related careers in animal justice (law and protection). I'm not sure whether we are allowed to share direct links, so do a search on Google for a place called One Zoo Tree (onezootree). Some of the profiles are being upgraded with free path planners and study guides. If the profile you click on doesn't have that built-in yet, just ask them to do it for you.

Enjoy the journey!

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Charl Moller
Owner - Developer
One Zoo Tree
WA
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Hi, Anon:

Membership in the National Animal Care & Control Association is super cheap ($25) and comes with discounts on ACO online training and free webinars: https://www.nacanet.org/membership/
Also, NACA worked with Maddie's Fund to create free online training  for ACOs on Maddie's University: https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/national-animal-care-control-professional-development
Basically, I think if that's where your heart lies, you can certainly become an animal control officer. Shelters need good people! 

Best wishes,

Erika

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Erika Shaffer
Instructional Designer
Maddie's Fund
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